college kid wisdom.

Here's to the college years...and all the strange and wonderful things we REALLY learn on this journey into the real world. :)

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also, there's this

www.theselittlelightsofmine.tumblr.com

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His album is on loop right now on my Spotify as I crank out X amount of papers over the next two days. This guy is so gifted. And this particular cover makes me think of my dad. He always jams out to this song whenever the Tears for Fears version comes on the radio. :)

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confessions of an elementary school teacher

Tomie DePaola is my homeboy. I am obsessed with his books. 

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blessed to be stressed

I am getting this education so that I can do what I love.

My to-do list is massive. Thus, this is my mantra. I'm blessed. I'm so lucky to be going to school here, surrounded by people I care about and on the brink of a promising future.

My assignments are a BLESSING. I wonder if I tell myself this enough, whether it'll be the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down. Right? Yikes. ;)

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spruce

Can't get enough pine-smelling things in my apartment. One of many reasons why it's the most wonderful time of the year. Also, you guys should see my living room. We tacked Christmas lights up around the entire space like crown molding, and my one roommate brought a 4 foot tree and it's just so cute and cozy and I love living in this little apartment.

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This song though. One of my all time favorites. Happy Wednesday!

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If I could re-live one day of my life, May 4, 2013 would be it. I don't think I've ever experienced so much pure joy as I did on this day in San Sebastián. It isn't even the events of the day that stick in my head, it's the feelings of euphoria and boundless love for the people that became my little family of international students while I was abroad. I'm getting emotional just sitting here thinking about it, and it's been a good 6 months since I left.

I miss you guys so, so dearly.

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friday

I want a massive slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top of it. 

That's all I've got for today. 

Off to work the late shift at the desk. 

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first impressions

Today, I got to experience beauty on a number of levels. I watched the sun rise as I finished up yet another all-nighter. I rocked my boss' one-year-old to sleep, and I observed the way that fall and winter have collided on campus in the form of frost-covered leaves and a sparkling dusting of leftover snow. I also experienced the pure joy and beauty of meeting and connecting with the class of 20 second graders who will be (almost) all mine, starting in January. 

Looking back over my four years here, the one constant focus that has been my passion and my drive has been my course of study. Education and the pursuit of teaching is what wakes me up in the morning, what lights a fire in my heart and what gives me a sense of purpose in this big, changing world. And now I'm here, less than six weeks away from inheriting my first classroom through student teaching... after endless hours of this love/hate relationship with my school's education department, words cannot encompass how ready I am to finally BE A TEACHER. 

I got to school early, totally sleep deprived and running on adrenaline and coffee. Driving there, I was nervous. Especially observing the neighborhood where the school is located: as one of the lower-end schools in an already low-performing district, there's a lot of economic hardship in the area where I'll be student teaching, and many of my kids are coming to school with baggage from home. However, as soon as I met my cooperating teacher I knew I was in the right place. Her style is unique, humorous, and whimsical - and I gravitated toward her immediately. I'm feeling like she's going to be an invaluable resource and, more importantly, a role model I'm going to keep close to my heart for many, many years to come.

The most beautiful part of today by far, though, was the way I went from being a stranger to a member of the classroom family in less than two hours of observation. Those kids came into the room and weren't quite sure what to make of me at first... but thanks to my cooperating teacher's willingness to let me jump right in and teach off the cuff today, I got the chance to bond with the kids and let them learn a little bit about me as I learned about them. By the end of the morning, I felt a buzz in the air that only comes from a classroom environment where students are truly excited about learning - genuinely curious and engaged. These little guys are incredibly diverse: in race, family background, ability level, and personality. I've got 6 girls and 14 boys, 2 students with learning disabilities, and one English Language Learner. And every single one of those kids had a light in their eyes and an appreciation/sense of ownership and pride for their classroom. This little community I'm blessed to be part of is a sacred one to these kids: it's a safe zone in a big world where they can thrive, and I'm now a part of it. It's both a huge responsibility and an incredible gift, and I could not be feeling more blessed by the beauty of it all.

The future is so bright. I cannot wait to get started.

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grump

Called one of my kindergarteners that last week. "Conner, don't be a grump! I like it better when you're smiling!" He looked at me and scowled. Clearly, Conner wasn't amused.

I kind of get where he's coming from. If someone were to call me a grump at this point in time, I'd probably be shooting daggers in their direction too. I am in no mood to participate in class today. There is waaaay too much on my list of things to do, and not enough hours in the day to do them.

It's Tuesday of "academic hell week". Still staring down the barrel of the biggest project of the semester, and I'm currently mentally prepping myself to drive to kindergarten through a solid inch of snow. 

Also, I woke up at 4 this morning to work on homework.

I just mapped out the rest of the week in my planner, and on Thursday night my agenda is "Sweatpants, wine, and mindless TV." So close, but so far away.

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Beer and homework. Just being a senior.

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still here

We'll see if I'm still here after this week though. On the agenda, among other things, is a 3 hour presentation about Latino literature, a mountain of lesson plans, and applying for my teaching license. 

Heeeere we go Monday.

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I am OBSESSED with these posters. I love maps and found these on Etsy today. They're 30 bucks a pop, though. But I wanted to post them so that I can try and replicate something like this in Photoshop one day when I maybe have some free time. (Free time... what's that again?)

The Etsy shop is All City Posters and there are a TON of them.

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lightbulbs

After 2 weeks of teaching and reteaching and reteaching the same strategies over and over again, I saw it happen for not one, but 12 low-performing kindergarteners in class today. One after another, their big eyes lit up and they smiled to themselves - a few of them even said "I can do this by myself now."

My heart has been singing all day since this morning. My sweet kiddos are learning how to read, and the pride that they're experiencing is the most joyful and beautifully pure thing - words can't express it.

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and also

That last post applies to staying on top of my blog, as well. It's a great outlet for me, and I can assure you, when I stop blogging is when my schedule starts to get muddled and I begin to veer a little bit off course. Here's to accountability.

And also... I just discovered Biore pore strips and they are both disgusting and fascinating at the same time. Shameless plug.

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back on track

After dealing with a number of weeks of extreme senioritis, general college foolishness, the most miserable hangover I've ever experienced, and a little bit of good old fashioned lifestyle evaluations, I solemnly swear to start this week off on the right vibe.

Granted, my version of an "off couple of weeks" is laughably responsible compared to a lot of people's. I make it sound like I've crashed and burned, which I am full aware that I haven't. But I have been off of my A game, and it's time to jump off the struggle bus and get my head in the game for these last few weeks of the semester. 

I spent all day yesterday with my sister, and we talked a lot about how I've experienced a "quarter life crisis" at least once every 48 hours for the last month or so. It's absolutely terrifying to think that I only have four weeks left of classes in which I play the role of a traditional student... ever. Sure, grad school may happen some day down the line. But by that time, I won't be a traditional student. I'll have a full time job and maybe even a family, depending on when and how things pan out. I feel like I'm on sensory overload, despite the fact that I KNOW I'm ready to go out and take the world by storm. The idea of growing up has sent my stress levels through the roof, and I haven't exactly been the best I know I can be.

So even though my GPA is bulletproof and my classes aren't really anything I'm too worried about, I know I'll be pissed at myself if I don't finish strong. (Plus, I'm just gonna be that much happier when I'm feeling like I've got it together.) Stay tuned as Emily plays her well-earned game of catch up, folks.